New York City Anti-bias Agency Calls Parley to Plot Action

January 15, 1960

NEW YORK (Jan. 14)

The New York City Commission on Intergroup Relations announced today that it had summoned leaders of every faith, and many scholars, to Join a public symposium, next Monday on the origin, causes and possible ways of curbing the recent outbreaks of anti-Semitics m. Mayor Robert F. Wagner will take part in the discussion.

Formation of a “continuing study” of the wave of anti-Semitism, as well as of any other signs of anti-religious or racist hatred directed against any group, was announced in Philadelphia today by Murray H. Shusterman, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia.

“While evidence at this time does not Justify the conclusion that the spate of Incidents is part of an organized plot or the result of organized planning, ” Mr. Shusterman stated, “the rapidity and range of their spread are cause for concern, and merit close and alert attention. “

A call upon governments, civic and interfaith organizations to forma special commission to formulate and help implement “a definite program of action” to fight the outbreaks was issued in New York today by Dr. Miriam Freund, president of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist organization.

“The current outbreak of anti-Semitic vandals, ” said Dr. Freund, “is not primarily a Jewish problem. It is a problem for all men of good will, and they must act to stamp out this dangerous virus wherever it exists.”

SWASTIKAS REACH UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

Meanwhile, at Boulder, Colo., swastikas were found painted on the walls of Phi Sigma Delta and Alpha Epsilon Phi, Jewish fraternity house and sorority house, at the University of Colorado, University President Dr. Quigg Newton, and Dean Arthur Kendl issued statements condemning the incidents. They ordered immediate investigations to try to trace the defacers, declaring that “the strongest action possible” would be taken against the culprits. Campus and Boulder city placed special guards around all buildings in the area occupied by Jewish organizations, in an effort to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

At Nashville, Term, Rabbi Jerome Kestenbaim told police that a threat had been made to bomb his synagogue if former Berlin correspondent William L. Shirer were permitted to speak. The lecture was held as scheduled. There was no bombing.